A/N: I'm back, and with GLORIO news. First of all, I have plotted out the rest of this story, so all I need to do is write it. Second, I have also plotted the first 3 chapters of Lyrical Girls S, and I promise all you NanoFate fans, it will be worth the wait. Moving on, this chapter pretty much concludes most of the drama with Natsume and Alisa, and now the focus will be moving to Hayate, and with 2 chapters left after this one, there is a lot to pack in. Some of it may not make sense, but damn it, this is my story and everything turned out just as I wanted. I'm not sure when I'll update again, be it a few days or a week, but I wont keep you in suspense for too long.

p.s. Kyubey is an evil asshole.

- Kode-Dekka

Lyrical Girls

Chapter X

Once again, Alisa saved Natsume's life. I was so relieved to get that call, telling me that she would be alright, I was so scared that Alisa wouldn't make it in time. And now, she was at her side, waiting for the girl to wake up. And I, I was at home, unable to do anything. Even though I should be happy, I felt so useless. I couldn't do anything to keep Natsume from trying to kill herself. I can't do anything about the fact that Hayate was dying. And Fate, I can't even properly express the way I felt about her, even though I know she feels the same way.

The worst part of it all was seeing Vita's face, and watching as she cried. Even though I didn't know her that well, and it was likely that she hated me, it was painful seeing that expression of sadness on her.

"What can someone like me do?" It was too hard dealing with all of this, I was only a 14 year old girl after all. But, even so, I...

Natsume woke in the middle of the night, but unlike the last time, she was all alone. The room was dark, lit only scarcely by the moon, otherwise it was covered in shadows. Her arm hurt, and she found it bandaged; the pain intensified as she remembered why she there.

"Looks like I messed up again." She chuckled, laughing at her inability to do something as simple as kill herself. The realization that she was alone also became reinforced. "Of course she wouldn't stay, I..." She stopped, looking to her left, where the door had opened.

"Ah, Natsume... you're awake." Alisa stood there stunned for a moment before coming inside and shutting the door behind her. "I'm glad, I thought you'd never wake up." She strolled toward her slowly, looking both relieved and angry at the same time. She raised one of her arms, revealing a can of coffee. Popping it open, Alisa took a sip before setting it down at the table beside them. "Honestly, how many times are you gonna make me worry about you?"

"Sorry bout' that, princess." Natsume managed a smile, but that faded quickly. "Why did you save me, even though I did that terrible thing to you? Even though I'm like this?" Before the redhead could say any more, Alisa flicked her on the forehead.

"Don't be stupid, we're friends, right? There's no way I'm going to let you kill yourself, just because of that stupid thing, idiot." This time, Natsume smiled, and didn't let it slip away.

"That nice side of you is really cruel, but that's what I love most about you, Alisa." The blond's cheeks flared, and she flicked Natsume again.

"Don't say things like that so suddenly, idiot..."

"Yeah yeah." Their playful banter almost made it feel like any other day, but the two of them knew differently, Natsume more than anyone else. "Nanoha didn't tell you, did she? About my past." receiving a shake of the head, she let out a sigh. "Figures. Damn that girl, but I guess there's no helping it now."

"So, are you going to tell me what this is all about? I'm all ears here." Clicking her tongue once, Natsume gave up.

"Okay, even though if possible, I don't want to make you hate me any mor-"

"Stop!" Alisa commanded in a stern voice. "Before you start I have something to say first; Even though you're annoying as hell, and you always do stupid things, I don't hate you, there's no way I'd hate my friend, so stop going on about that, okay?" This earned a chuckle from Natsume.

"Damn it, I can't win against you. Fine, but I'm warning you, I wont let you take that back, so I hope you're prepared." Alisa was going to respond, but Natsume's gaze suddenly became serious as it fixed on her, shutting the girl up.

And then, slowly, in the worst way possible, Natsume told Alisa everything. The abuse, her depression, the madness, the murders, and their first meeting and even about the fact that she fell in love, Natsume told her about all of it. By the time she was finished, she had seen Alisa's expression change a dozen times, showcasing all kinds of conflicting emotions.

"There, you understand now, don't you?" Natsume's voice softened to almost a whisper. "I killed both my parents, right now, I'm a monster. More than that, I'm barely even alive, I don't have any reason to go on, All I am is a flame now, waiting to be extinguished."

Alisa didn't respond right away, she was still gathering her thoughts, processing the terrible things she'd heard. But when she did have herself in order, she did the most unexpected thing, and gave Natsume a smile, though it was dry and uncertain.

"I had no idea, I'm such an idiot, why couldn't see how much pain you were in?"

"I'm a pretty good actor. I made sure that you never knew, because I was afraid that you would start hating me."

Alisa looked to the floor, and then scratched her head, which Natsume knew meant that the girl was frustrated. "Damn it, why is everyone saying all these hard to understand things? How am I supposed to deal with something like this?" She got to her feet, and started pacing around the room, Natsume watching her silently. Eventually she stopped, looking at the girl and pointing. "Ahh! Enough of this, I've had enough!" She marched to Natsume, and grabbed her by the shoulders, shocking the redhead greatly.

"Alisa, what-"

"Just shut up and listen!" When it was quiet, Alisa gave Natsume a fierce look. "Okay. I gotta admit, I really don't know what to do, all of this is too much. I don't think I can forget about what you told me, but, its all in the past, and you had your reasons for what you did. I don't really understand things, and I don't know how much help I can be, but I want to help you, because you're my friend, Natsume. Damn it, this is so embarrassing, but whatever! You say you don't have any reason to live, and crap like that; well fine, if you don't, then I'll give you one!" Alisa was blushing heavily, and that even spread to Natsume as well. "I wont abandon you, because you're my friend, I'll be by your side, no matter what. If you have to find a reason to live, then okay, I'll help you look, and I wont leave your side until you find one. That's why, don't say stupid things like you're gonna die, don't give up so easily. Just keep being that same stupid girl who always annoys me, you're fine just like that, you idiot!"

Alisa's rant came to an end, and she struggled to catch her breath. Contradicting her actions a moment ago, she looked at Natsume gently. "Don't give up, and if you need strength, then just rely on me a little, okay? That's what friends are for, Natsume." She let go of the redhead, who was still too stunned to speak. "Anyway, I'm going home now, I'll come see you tomorrow after I get some sleep." Natsume nodded. "See ya."

Alisa left her alone, but that blond's words remained in her heart. When the door finally closed, Natsume couldn't hold back anymore, and started crying. I... I... The light in her heart that she thought was gone, started to spread out, and suddenly she felt warmer than she's ever had before. Smiling through her tears, Natsume laughed.

"Damn it, this is all your fault; I've fallen even more in love with you now, Alisa..."

Hayate's heart died with the utterance of a few simple words.

"If you don't have the operation within the next month..."

"I see..." Upon hearing the news, that was all she could say, as all the hope inside her vanished.

"Unfortunately, with the current state of your finances..." She tuned the rest out, it was all things she'd heard before anyway, it was pointless to indulge in that talk again.

The future ceased to exist in that moment, for her, there was nothing more to look forward to, except for death.

A flash of red, and the vision of a small girl went through her mind.

Forgive me, Vita, I'm sorry... I can't go on anymore...

This week was completely awful. While Natsume was doing fine at the hospital, and it seemed like Alisa broke through to her, it didn't look like she was going to be released for a little while. And then there was Hayate, who I had just learned from Vita, was going to die in six months if she didn't have an operation within the next 30 days.

The operation that she needed was just too costly, there was no way she would be able to afford it, and so, there was no hope.

Still, I didn't want to give up, I couldn't give up, not ever. A friend was a friend, if we didn't know each other for long, I can't abandon her, so I knew I would have to think of some way to get that money.

"Fate-chan, what do you think?" The blond stared at me with her red eyes.

"I don't know, Nanoha, but, I wont give up either." I smiled and nodded.

"We'll definitely think of something."

A loud noise started to blare in the hall all of sudden, it sounded a lot like music. I figured that it was the Light Music Club practicing for the upcoming Live.

"Ah..." My eyes lit up, and a light went off in my head. Fate looked at me curiously, but I didn't respond to her, I was exploring the idea thoroughly. Its perfect! "Fate-chan, I've got it, I know how to save Hayate-chan!"

"Eh? How?"

I went over my plan with her, getting more than a few strange looks, but eventually she saw my point of view as well and nodded. It was decided.

We were going to throw a charity concert, and save Hayate.

"... That's Nanoha's plan, but I really have no idea how she'll get that kind of permission." Alisa was telling Natsume about Nanoha's idea, which genuinely interested the girl.

"Sounds like fun. But that girl really is something, she wont give up on her friends no matter what happens." Alisa gave Natsume a kind smile.

"In case you're wondering, I meant what I said yesterday, I wont give up on you either." Both their cheeks turned pink.

"I-I know that, hearing you say it is actually a little embarrassing." Natsume was feeling a lot better now, but she still felt like something inside her was wrong. I guess it isn't easy to erase years of despair...

As the two of them became quiet, the redhead started to think even more deeply, coming to a compulsion that shocked her. I wonder... maybe, if its 'that', I can atone for things... All the sins that she's committed, and all the anger she's bottled up, Natsume finally seemed to have found a way to release herself of such guilt.

"Alisa, I want you to do something for me."

"Hm? What is it?" Natsume smiled sadly, and even almost smirked.

"I need you to bring Hayate's family here, I have something to tell them. Also... could you call my... parents, I need them as well." Alisa was confused at first, wondering why she needed those specific people.

"Natsume, what are you thinking?" The smile on her face deepened.

"Please bring them, I'm know how to... I'm going to save Hayate." The blond's eyes widened, and when she saw how serious Natsume was, she did the only thing possible. She nodded, and left the room.